
Johor police rescue teens from online sex scam syndicate
The operation, named Op Bugil, was conducted in Johor Bahru and Kulai between June 20 and July 1.
Johor Police Chief Datuk M. Kumar confirmed another victim, a 26-year-old man, was also rescued. Nine suspects, including two women, were arrested in connection with the case.
Investigations revealed the syndicate had been active since November last year, recruiting locals—including minors—as scammers with monthly salaries ranging from RM2,200 to RM4,000. Some were promised overseas jobs in countries like Laos with higher pay of around USD2,500.
Kumar stated that the victims were coerced into online sex scams, with fake social media accounts created for extortion.
'They were locked up, forced to eat chilli, sexually abused, and stripped naked. These acts were recorded for blackmail,' he said during a press conference.
Victims were reportedly forced to work 12-hour shifts with only one day off every two weeks. They were confined to their workplace, with their identity cards and mobile phones confiscated.
The syndicate's modus operandi involved using women to lure victims into obscene video calls on social media. Once victims clicked on a provided link, their phones were hacked, granting the syndicate access to contacts and photos. Victims were then blackmailed with threats of releasing compromising videos unless they paid.
Authorities seized 27 mobile phones, personal documents, plane tickets, currency receipts, cash, a laptop, 49 SIM cards, employment records, and vehicles during the operation. Investigations are ongoing. - Bernama

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
39 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
MMEA detains foreign tanker found anchoring illegally in Johor waters
BATU PAHAT: A Bridgetown, Barbados – registered tanker carrying over 6,800 metric tonnes of tar was detained for illegally anchoring in the waters off Batu Pahat on Sunday. Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Batu Pahat director Commander Mohammad Zaini Zainal said the vessel was intercepted at 12.30am, about 12.8 nautical miles southwest of Tanjung Segenting. The ship's captain failed to produce an anchoring permit during a routine inspection by MMEA officers on patrol. "The tanker, which had sailed from Dubai and stopped at Tanjung Bruas Port in Melaka, was en route to Vietnam when it was found anchoring without clearance in Johor waters," he said in a statement today. All 18 crew members, including the captain — all Indian nationals aged between 22 and 45 — had valid travel documents. The captain and chief engineer were detained, while the remaining crew stayed aboard the vessel, which was placed under arrest and prohibited from sailing. The case is being investigated under Section 491B(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for anchoring without permission from the director-general of the Marine Department Malaysia. If convicted, the offence carries a maximum fine of RM100,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both. Zaini said the MMEA will continue regular patrols to curb unauthorised anchoring activities and warned shipowners and captains to comply strictly with maritime regulations.

Barnama
40 minutes ago
- Barnama
PBTs Issue Nearly 15,000 Compounds Against Foreign-owned Business Premises
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Local authorities (PBTs) have issued a total of 14,834 compounds against business premises for various offences, including the illegal transfer of licences and permits to foreigners, since 2023, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. He said that the authorities have also sealed 2,880 premises and revoked 23 business licences. 'It must be stressed that the Ministry and PBTs have never allowed any foreign nationals to apply for or own hawker or small business licences, business premises, grocery stores, eateries, car workshops, or markets. 'PBTs also do not allow the hiring of foreigners as workers under hawker licences at their premises, as the MADANI Government is deeply committed to supporting Malaysians through business opportunities and ensuring the sustainability of the local traders' economy,' he said. He was responding to a question from Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN-Hulu Selangor) regarding businesses being operated by foreigners in Malaysia, particularly in the retail sector, during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. Nga said existing policies and regulations, such as the Hawkers By-Laws and the Licensing of Trades, Businesses and Industries By-Laws, clearly stipulate that only Malaysian citizens are allowed to apply for business licences. At the same time, foreign nationals can only be hired if they hold a valid work pass or trade permit. He said PBTs carry out continuous enforcement and monitoring operations, including regular inspections of business premises and hawkers, particularly in areas with a high concentration of foreign nationals, as well as confiscating goods from foreign hawkers. Nga also said that the local authorities would revoke licences from those found to have misused their permits, stressing that the conditions for new applications and business licences have been tightened, based on each state's jurisdiction, to curb the operations of foreign-owned businesses. In response to a supplementary question from Mohd Hasnizan regarding the ruse of using Malaysian spouses as proxies to open businesses, Nga said Malaysians must act responsibly and uphold the principles of the Rukun Negara.


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Perhilitan seizes RM500k worth of exotic skin products in Cheras raid
KUALA LUMPUR: Authorities have seized more than RM500,000 worth of handbags and belts made from exotic animal skins, including crocodile leather, during a raid on a business premises in Cheras yesterday. Three locals were detained for questioning in connection with the illegal sale of various items crafted from protected wildlife skins. A source said the activity was uncovered after enforcement officers from the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), together with intelligence officers from the 19th Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF) Central Brigade, carried out a raid under Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah at about 11.40am. "The team discovered the business was selling various products made from the skins of protected wild animals," the source said. The raid resulted in the seizure of 86 handbags and 14 belts believed to be made from exotic animal skins. The suspects were released on police bail, while all confiscated items were taken to Perhilitan's headquarters for further investigation. Authorities reminded the public that the trade of wildlife-based products without valid authorisation is a serious offence under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716), and strict action will be taken without compromise.